September 12, 1974 (Thursday Night at The Olympic in Los Angeles) After a 5-Month lay-off, 'Lightning Ray' Lampkin, the #4 Lightweight in World returns to The Olympic for another 'Main Event Bout' This time, Lampkin will take on the popular California Lightweight, Pete 'Petey' Vital in an 'over-the-weight' Lightweight bout (138 lbs.) The 23 year-old Vital, is a fast slick-boxer, and a regular at The Olympic, where he has fought at 13-times in his 31-bout career, and posted an 8-3-2 record. Not big on the punch, Vital sports a 19-8-4 (4 KO's) record, and will rely on his quickness and punch slipping skills to win fights. In his 31-bout career, Petey Vital has never been knocked down or stopped. At the opening bell, 'Lightning Ray' goes right after the 'light punching' Vital, and backs him up with a blinding combination. The boxers exchange several combinations, when suddenly Lampkin explodes a lead right-hand 'down-the-pike', that lands flush on Petey's jaw which drops him for the first time in his career. Vital struggles up at the count of 7, and is wobbly. Lampkin moves in, and looks to drop in the finisher, but Vital scoots away and uses his legs like a track-runner. Lampkin then chases and stalks, and finally pins Vital in a neutral corner, where he unloads a lightning-quick 7-punch flurry which drops Vital like a rock. Referee Larry Rozadilla counts out Vital at 2:42 of Round 1. Fight Purse; Ray Lampkin $2700 Ray Lampkin improves to 26-3-1 (10 KO's), and moves up to the #3 Lightweight. This bout was televised by KTLA-Channel 5.
WORLD LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION October 1974 WBA Champion, Roberto Duran, after Knocking-out #1 Esteban DeJesus (KO 11) in Panama City in March 1974 -- scores '3' non-title Knock-out wins in (July, September and October). While Ray Lampkin is asking for a shot at the WBA Championship, Duran refuses to fight out-side the 'comfortable confines' of Central America. In the meantime, Roberto Duran will take on another non-title bout in November, before taking on the #6 Lightweight, Japan Lightweight Champion, Masataka Takayama 21-5-1 (8 KO's) in Costa Rica, in December 1974, in an 'optional non-mandatory' Title defense. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WBC Champion, Japan's 'Guts' Ishimatsu, who won the Title by upsetting {KO 8} *Rodolfo Gonzalez in April 1974, had defended the WBC Title in September 1974, by a 'highly-controversial and undeserved' 15-Round Draw with #5 WBC Lightweight Arturo 'Tury the Fury' Pineda. (Ray Lampkin had defeated Pineda by Decision in December 1973). 'Guts' Ishimatsu has a scheduled November 1974 Title Defense with #1 WBC Rodolfo Gonzalez, in a 'mandatory re-match clause' bout. 'Guts' Ishimatsu, in a previous bout, in September 1973 - was stopped (L KO 10) by Roberto Duran in a WBA Lightweight Championship bout. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lightweight Ratings ** Roberto Duran (WBA Champion) ** 'Guts' Ishimatsu (WBC Champion #1 Ken Buchanan #2 Rodolfo Gonzalez #3 Ray Lampkin #4 Angel Mayoral #5 Arturo Pineda #6 Masataka Takayama #7 Ray Lunny III #8 Miguel Mayan #9 Jimmy Heair #10 Leonico Ortiz Note: Esteban DeJesus has moved up to 140 lbs. (Light-Welterweight) Note: #3 Lightweight, Ray Lampkin will defend his NABF Lightweight Title on October 18, 1974 - while waiting for a World Championship Title shot.
Mighty Mike Roberto Duran vs Ray Lampkin This is the recap of Round 10, by Red Smith * 0:12 - Both fighters at center-ring * 0:13 - Duran lands a short chopping right * 0:15 - Both fighters clinch * 0:21 - Lampkin lands a left-right * 0:25 - Duran lands a glancing right hand lead to Lampkin's head * 0:29 - Lampkin lands a good right to the body * 0:31 - Both fighters at center-ring * 0:32 - Duran has no snap on his punches * 0:33 - Duran lands a weak right hand * 0:39 - Lampkin lands a good right hand counter to Duran's chin, which snaps his head * 0:41 - Lampkin lands a good right to the body * 0:48 - Both fighters exchange a 4-punch combination * 1:02 - Lampkin lands a good long right hand * 1:04 - Duran is doing nothing, and looks exhausted * 1:15 - Lampkin lands a short left to a stiff-legged Duran, who is pushed back * 1:24 - Lampkin is the stronger man in the ring * 1:35 - Both fighters are weary now - and both are breathing heavy with their mouth's open * 1:42 - Duran lands a glancing right on an off-balance Lampkin * 1:45 - Lampkin circles and jabs * 1:51 - Lampkin lands a long right hand lead * 1:52 - Duran has his hands down, as if they are carrying lead weights * 1:57 - Duran attempts a wide-left hook, which misses * 2:02 - Both fighters clinch * 2:07 - Lampkin lands a right hand to the body * 2:09 - Duran lands a good left hook to the body, which lifts Lampkins right leg * 2:15 - Duran attempts a big right hand, but misses * 2:23 - Both fighters clinch * 2:33 - Both fighters maul each other in the clinch * 2:35 - Duran digs in a light left-right * 2:40 - Lampkin misses with a big counter right hand * 2:42 - Lampkin lands a short straight left to Duran's face * 2:44 - Lampkin goes into boxing mode * 2:50 - Duran misses a 1-2 * 2:53 - Both fighters clinch Round Scored for Ray Lampkin Red Smith has the bout scored; 6-4-0 for Ray Lampkin As for Ray Lampkin's corner not having fresh water to hydrate their fighter,,,,,,,not true. The World Boxing Association, for all of their faults, were on their best behavior that day, and made sure that not only fresh water, ice and iced-towels for the fighters were made available throughout the fight, Panamanian physicians were in both corners monitoring the fighters, as there was concern over the sweltering heat in the ring (95+), high-levels of humidity and lack of cool-air movement, as the Gimnasio Nuevo did not have a supplemental ventilation system at that time.
October 18, 1974 (Friday Night at the Masonic Temple in Seattle, Washington) World-rated #3 Lightweight, Ray Lampkin 26-3-1 (10 KO's) will defend his NABF Lightweight Title against, yet again, Nick Alfaro 24-15-0 (20 KO's). This will be 'third time' that Lampkin and Alfaro have fought, but the 'first time' for the NABF Title. This bout will be a 'Friday Night Fight', and locally televised for Seattle and surrounding networks. For Nick Alfaro, one of the busiest fighters in the Southwest, this will be his 12th bout of the year. The Arizona Lightweight Champion, with 20 Knock-outs in his 24-wins, carries a wallop in his right hand, and his considered one the better southwest 'club-fighters'. 'Lightning Ray' starts off his usual way against the tough-slugging club-fighter, by circling and jabbing. Alfaro presses, but is met with sharp-jabs and counter right-hands. In Round 5, Lampkin sets up stationary, and goes toe-to-toe with the Arizona Lightweight Champion, and rocks Alfaro with 'two' booming right hands which stagger him. Lampkin follows up, and pummels the out-gunned slugger into the ropes, where he drops Alfaro for a 4-Count with a spear-like combination. In Round 6, Lampkin is pot-shotting Alfaro with right hand bombs, and has him ready to go, but the tough club-fighter makies it through the round. In Round 7, Lampkin scores heavy with right-hands, and backs Alfaro up into the ropes, where he bangs away with multiple-punches until Alfaro collapses under the assault, and is counted out at 1:34 of the 7th Round. Attendance; 1800 Fight Purse; $3200 Ray Lampkin improves to 27-3-1 (11 KO's)
March 2, 1975 Red Smith's Scorecard 1--2--3--4--5-----6--7--8--9--10-----11--12--13 D--L--L--L--D-----D--L--L--D---L------D---L---E Red Smith had Ray Lampkin up 7-5-1 after 13-Rounds. Ray Lampkin told cornerman Chuck Lincoln in the corner after the 11th Round, that his legs were gone, and he didn't think he could continue. The sweltering heat in the ring was draining him of his little left strength. Ray Lampkin' Manager, Mike Morton nervously encourages 'Lightning Ray' to just jab in Round 12, and that Roberto Duran is so exhausted, that he can barely move let alone punch. This content is protected
Ray Lampkin in a hospital bed at the Social Security Hospital in Panama City. 'Lightning Ray' left the ring on a stretcher, after being knocked out by Roberto Duran in the 14th Round. Ray was unconcious when he left the Gimnasio Nuveo Arena, and regained conciousness 80-Minutes later while in the hospital. The result of the Roberto Duran left hook, was a 'massive concussion' and partial temporary paralysis of the left leg. This content is protected
Thank You Mr. Fists,,,,,,,,,, As for Roberto Duran,, Yes, we all know. he said, 'That Ray Lampkin was lucky he wasn't in a morgue' and I was not in my best condition, 'next time we fight, I will kill him.' Duran stated, 'Yes I will give him a rematch, anytime and anywhere, and I guarantee he will be lucky to last 6-Rounds'. The truth, Roberto Duran was so exhausted from the 14-Round war, and dehydrated from the sweltering-heat in the ring, that he too was in no shape to enjoy his victory. He also spent the night in the Social Security Hospital, and visited Ray Lampkin the next day to see how he was doing. Not wasting anytime, Ray Lampkin's Manager, Mike Morton started negotiations for a rematch, 'We would like to fight in cooler climate, as this place is unbearable for boxers to go 15-Rounds. The sweltering-heat puts the boxers in physical danger in the later rounds, as the same thing happened to Esteban DeJesus last year.' 'We have talked to Madison Square Garden Matchmaker, Teddy Brenner - and he likes the fight. Mike Burke, the President of MSG is coming here next week to talk to Carloe Eleta (Roberto Duran's Manager) with an offer of $250,000 to come to New York.' 'Madison Square Garden has offered us $50,000 - which I have agreed upon for Ray. After some time off to recuperate, Ray will have a tune-up bout first, maybe in August or September 1975, and then Roberto in November 1975 at Madison Square Garden. CBS-Sports will gladly televise the bout.' Note; For their March 2, 1975 bout - Roberto Duran's fight purse was $75,000 (Tax-free dollars) plus an additional $5000 in training expenses. Note: Ray Lampkin received $15,000 - plus hotel expenses for him and his '4' team members - as well as air-travel expenses.
February 6, 1975 (County Expo Center, Portland, Oregon) #1 WBA Lightweight 'Lightning Ray' Lampkin will take on #7 WBA Lightweight Miguel Mayan in a 10-Round WBA Elimination bout. The winner of this bout is guaranteed a Title Bout bout with WBA Champion Roberto Duran for March 1975. The 27 1/2 year-old Ray Lampkin 27-3-1 (11 KO's), the NABF Lightweight Champion will also be defending his Crown for the 4th time, in his 'second reign'. Both fighters are guaranteed $3000 for this Thursday Night Television bout. A sell-out crowd of 2700 will attend the County Expo Center bout. Miguel Mayan had lost a bout (L Dec 10) to then undefeated Ray Lampkin back in September 1972. Miguel Mayan, a 27 year-old Lightweight boxer from San Diego, has a reputation as an 'upset artist'. The 32-23-5 (10 KO's) record of Mayon is deceiving, as the 5' 7" 135 lb. boxer, has defeated Top Lightweight contenders; Jimmy Heair, Angel Robinson Garcia, Jimmy Robertson and Victor Abraham. He also has a Draw with Top 10 Lightweight Ray Lunny III, as well as a Split-Decision loss to the undefeated Lunny. In 13-bouts in 1974, Miguel Mayan went 9-4-0, all against World-Class Lightweights. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 'Lightning Ray' Lampkin cruised to an 'easy' 10-Round Decision over the durable Miguel Mayan last night. Lampkin, the #1 WBA Lightweight controlled the boxing match from the 'Opening Bell', and exhibited smooth boxing skills for all 10-Rounds, winning by scores of; 6-0-4 / 7-0-3 / 6-2-2. Miguel Mayan, the San Diego 'upset artist' was only on occassion to score with counter-punches, as 'Lightning Ray' was too fast and too slick for Mayan, as he flashed his usual lightning quick combinations throughout. With the victory, his 28th, Ray Lampkin is now assured a WBA Lightweight Championship bout with Roberto Duran. Negotiations are still going on, to deterime the exact date (in March) and the location will be either - Panama, Costa Rica or Los Angeles.
February 15, 1975 (Bend High School, Portland, Oregon) 'Lightning Ray' Lampkin, the #1 WBA Lightweight and NABF Lightweight Champion will defend his Title on Saturday Night, February 15th at the Bend High School. Approximately 2000 Portland fans will attend, to see 'Lightning Ray' in a final tune-up bout before heading to Panama City, Panama - to take on WBA Champion Robert Duran on March 2, 1975. The 27 year-old Lampkin 28-3-1 (11 KO's) will be taking on Seattle Lightweight, Al 'Bananas' Foster. Foster, a club-fighting Lightweight, has posted a record of 22-21-1 (5 KO's) fighting mainly in the Northwest 'club-circuit'. Al Foster, has fought Ray Lampkin 'twice' before (December 1969 {L Dec 6} and September 1971 {L KO 4}). Foster is no stranger to Ray Lampkin, as he has worked as Ray's sparring partner for the better part of the last 3-years. At the opening bell, 'Lightning Ray' wastes no time, and immediately goes after his 'sparring partner', and rocks Foster with a left-hook/straight right hand. Foster attempts to fight back, but is met with a two-fisted onslaught and driven to the canvas at the 0:51 mark. After the 8-Count, Ray Lampkin charges in, and lets go with a barrage of punches, and finally drops Foster with a right-hook. Referee, Mark Donovan counts out Al Foster at 1:26 of the First Round. Ray Lampkin receives $2500 as a fight purse, and donates $1000 towards the Bend High School Athletic Program. Al 'Bananas' Foster received a fight purse of $500. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 'odd-thing' about this bout, is that Ray Lampkin had fought a 10-Rounder with a pretty good boxer Miguel Mayan only 9-days earlier. And in 15-days, Ray would be fighting Roberto Duran in Panama. After this Saturday bout, on Thursday, February 20, 1975 -Ray Lampkin and his 4-member team fly to Panama City, Panama (10-days before his bout with Roberto Duran), where Ray Lampkin will receive a fight purse of $15,000. Thats 3-bouts within 24-days. Which included, a 22-hour airline flight. On Roberto Duran, he also had a bout on Saturday, February 15, 1975 at the Gimnasio Nuevo Gym in Panama - just 15-days before his scheduled bout with Ray Lampkin. Duran, fought a 140 lb, non-title bout with Columbian Lightweight, Andres Salgado 23-6-0 (11 KO's). In 1:00 of the First Round, Duran ended matters with one monster right hand. Duran scored his 48th victory against one-loss, as he registered his 41st Knock-out. Roberto Duran would have to lose 5 lbs. in 15-days to make the 135 lb. (Lightweight) limit. Actually he lost 6 1/2 lbs., because he came in at 133 1/2 versus Ray Lampkin.
I spoke of this fight a while back. Lampkin had to go for ko late, he knew he'd get robbed if he did get bet over distance. Pananma was under a dictator,and he would sit ringside and cheer Duran. Panamanian ref ( I think,) 3 Panamanian judges for sure---bad odds. Also, 2 weeks before he had been in cold weather training for fight.
Danman, The Skinny,,, Mike Morton, Ray Lampkin's Manager had been trying to negotiate for the bout to be held in Los Angeles or Costa Rica (a neutral site), and he was willing to accept $10,000 for a fight purse. But Carlos Eleta, Roberto Duran's Manager, held out for a Panama bout, and with the WBA in-charge (Panama-based Association) they offered Mike Morton a $15,000 fight purse if they would accept the bout for Panama. Mike Morton went for the higher fight purse, but of course it meant a much different environment for his fighter. Scorecards after 13-Rounds Red Smith;.....................7-5-1.......Ray Lampkin The Oakland Tribune;.......6-6-1...... Even Ring Magazine;...............6-5-2........Ray Lampkin Latin Press;...................7-5-1........Roberto Duran The '3' Panamanian Officials; Referee; Isaac Herrera Judge; Juan Carlos Tapia Judge; Ammodio Cedeno I have never been able to get a view of their scorecards. This content is protected
The fight is on youtube for anyone who prefers to judge with their own eyes rather than a few dodgy fight reports. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Yl0aARBNiI[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8N2RUIjiOk[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fxiNyDp2jo[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5isnuqlm3g[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ravr-QsPqAA[/ame]
Yeah Duran won comfortably after a good start by Lampkin. Props to Ray though, he fought his heart out and actually threw a good amount of punches, unlike some of the other fighters who would try and take Duran on from the outside slightly later I think aroud that 73-75 period Duran was still assimiliating all the facets of the more refined boxer-puncher style he was being taught by Brown.Higher stakes Dejesus rematch aside, you can see it in fights like this and the Ishimatsu one where he's trying out new feints, punches, and defensive stuff with his feet and upperbody, and not looking too bothered about really forcing the pace or throwing a lot of punches every single round. By the Villa and third Dejesus fights he had the pace and feel of the style down cold, comfortably merged with his own natural aggressive approach, but around this time he was still feeling it out, which gave him an unpredictability of it's own when he would still suddenly explode with wide looping punches having fought at a mostly "too slow" pace for most of a round etc